Honorary Degree (posthumous), Tshwane University of Technology (2023)[3]
Chief Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe was born in 1962 [4] (died June 2007) was a South African businessman, anti apartheid activist, educator, and tribal leader of the Bakgatla-Ba-Mmakau, a branch of the Tswana people. Known [5] as "ABC" or "Digits," [6][7] he was a prominent figure in South African business and community leadership, particularly in the North West province.
He played a significant role in advocating for his community's rights, notably leading successful protests against a Canadian mining company to secure royalties for vanadium mined [8] on tribal land. Motsepe was also the father of notable South African figures, including mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, First Lady Tshepo Motsepe, and businesswoman Bridgette Radebe.
Early life and education
Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe was born in South Africa, into the Tswana ethnic group.[9] He was the son of Joseph and Stephina Motsepe. Details about his early life are sparse, but he pursued a career in education, becoming a teacher and later the principal of Modise Sekitla Secondary School in Mathibestad, near Hammanskraal.
Chief Augustine Motsepe, a staunch opponent of the Bantu Education system [10] that perpetuated racial segregation and restricted opportunities for Black South Africans, prioritized securing a superior education for his children under tight race restrictions of apartheid.[11] By the time his son Patrice Motsepe [12] was ready to start school, Chief Augustine Motsepe had transitioned into business but remained deeply committed to education. He strongly opposed the Bantu Education Act, which provided inferior education for black South Africans. Using his wealth [13] and connections, Augustine successfully enrolled Patrice and his siblings in Saint Joseph's Mission School, a Roman Catholic, Afrikaans-language boarding school in Aliwal North designated for coloured students. Despite Patrice being classified as black—unaffected by his maternal Scottish grandfather—Augustine secured his children's admission, a remarkable feat under apartheid's rigid racial classifications.
Education and community leadership
Motsepe began his career as an educator, serving as a teacher and later a school principal. His commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, as he actively opposed the restrictive policies of Bantu Education. He was a role model for his community, emphasizing the importance of education for future generations.[11]
As the chief of the Bakgatla-Ba-Mmakau, Motsepe was a respected leader who advocated for his people's rights. In a notable achievement, he led protests against Leuka Minerals, a Canadian mining company, to secure royalties for vanadium extracted from tribal land.[14] His leadership in this effort highlighted his dedication to economic justice for his community.
Business ventures
Motsepe was a pioneering Black entrepreneur during the apartheid era, a time when African entrepreneurship was heavily restricted. He owned and operated shopping centers in the North West province and a spaza shop, a small retail business popular among mine workers. This shop provided his son Patrice with early exposure to business principles and the mining industry, shaping his future success as a billionaire mining magnate
Motsepe also played a key role in founding the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc),[15] a business organization aimed at promoting Black economic empowerment in South Africa. [16]
Dr Tshepo Motsepe (born 1953), a physician and the First Lady of South Africa, married to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Patrice Motsepe (born 1962), a billionaire businessman, founder of African Rainbow Minerals,[17] and president of the Confederation of African Football.[18]
Bridgette Radebe (born 1960), a pioneering businesswoman and founder of Mmakau Mining,[19] married to politician Jeff Radebe.
Motsepe was known for his strong family values and commitment to his children's education and success. Despite his son Patrice's ownership of the Mamelodi Sundowns football club, Augustine remained a devoted fan of rival team Orlando Pirates, reportedly its oldest member. Chief Motsepe died on June 18, 2007, at the age of 92.[20]
Legacy
Augustine Motsepe's efforts to secure mining royalties for his tribe and his advocacy against apartheid-era restrictions left a lasting impact on the Bakgatla-Ba-Mmakau community. His commitment to education and entrepreneurship inspired his children, who became prominent figures in South African business and politics.
In recognition of his contributions, the Tshwane University of Technology posthumously awarded Motsepe an honorary degree on October 31, 2023. The ceremony, attended by the Motsepe family, celebrated his role as a nation-builder and freedom fighter.
Motsepe's life was also commemorated [21] at his funeral, held at the Medunsa sports complex in Ga-Rankuwa, where prominent South African figures, including Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, cabinet ministers, and football executives, gathered to honor him. The event featured music from Solly Moholo and choirs from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, reflecting his cultural significance
Late North West Province Premier Edna Molewa praised [22] Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe as an exemplary "role-model, nation builder, and freedom fighter," highlighting his significant contributions to his community and the nation, and she urged future generations to actively honor and perpetuate his enduring legacy of leadership, social justice, and empowerment.
ABC Motsepe League
The ABC Motsepe League, officially called the SAFA Second Division, is a semi-professional football competition in South Africa. It is the third tier of the country's football league system. The league [23] started in 1998 and was renamed in 2014 to honour[24] Chief Augustine Motsepe, the late father of mining mogul [25] and Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe. This was part of a five-year sponsorship deal [26] worth 40 million ZAR from the Motsepe Foundation,[27] which was renewed in 2018. The league includes 144 teams spread across nine provincial divisions. Each division has 16 clubs, and the winners move on to promotion playoffs for a shot at the National First Division. Named after Augustine Motsepe, a former school teacher and principal who loved grassroots football and community development, the league carries on his legacy by nurturing talent and boosting social unity through sport in South Africa's many regions.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
